A whole new world of Salewa gear hits the market this fall. As of September, Italy-based Salewa (until now only offering footwear in the U.S.) launched an extended line of gear in the U.S. Why should you care? Salewa brings over 80-years of craftsmanship and outdoor experience to the table, and has expertise in areas ranging from climbing to mountaineering to alpine skiing.

The Ortles 2 Hybrid Jacket should be a contender for your new favorite do-it-all, every-day, go-to mid-layer. The windproof, water-resistant, hybrid jacket is a jack of all trades for more than just winter adventures. Primaloft Silver keeps you warm, but only where you need it, thanks to Salewa's body mapping system. The quick-drying, breathable insulation will provide insulation, even when wet, and won't weigh you down, coming in at a smidge over three-quarters of a pound. Other areas feature targeted materials for optimum performance, like two-way stretch and abrasion-resistant panels that allow for freedom of movement.

Mid-layers have become essential gear for any outdoors person. And it is a stacked category. But Salewa knows what it is doing, and the high-performance gear is going to compete with the best products out there. At least, it did in my case (and won).